Royals

Royals GM Dayton Moore mentioned last week that the Royals would likely not acquire any starting pitching, instead would look toward moving parts for pitching.
One of the biggest names the Royals are linked to is Oakland's Gio Gonzalez, but the A's asking price of multiple impact prospects has turned off the Royals. One scout views them as a good match for the A's, given Kansas City's deep farm system. The Royals are also interested in Trevor Cahill, but the A's will not take anyone besides Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer or uber-prospect Wil Myers.
NO THANK YOU!
Cahill and Gonzalez have friendly contracts of three and four years respectively.
The Royals also inquired about Tampa Bay's James Shields., but the Rays have told them it would take closer Joakim Soria, Wil Myers and shortstop prospect Christian Colon in order to land the right-hander.
In other words, a deal won't happen unless the Rays lower their demands significantly, which they really have no reason to do since [Read more...]

Bruce Chen turned down more money elsewhere to stay with the Royals. This is good news for the Royals, that people actually want to stay here. Reportedly Chen turned down at least $1 million to sat in KC...
In an interview with Jim Duquette and Kevin Kennedy on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (audio link), GM Dayton Moore said he is looking for someone to backup Alcides Escobar at short, as well as a right-handed bat that can play third base to give Mike Moustakas the occasional break.
"We will be open minded with continuing to improve our rotation," added Moore during the interview. He expects any upgrades to come via trade (like the Jonathan Sanchez acquisition) rather than free agency.
Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star hears that the Royals believe the price to add an impact starting pitcher is too high, so they're attempting to build a lock-down bullpen (Twitter link) instead. Not a bad idea, especially if our starters continue to go just five innings.
In a another [Read more...]

The Royals have agreed to sign Jonathan Broxton to a one-year deal, pending a physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). The deal is worth $4 million. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Royals plan to use Broxton as a setup man, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
That said, $4 million is A LOT of money for a set-up man. I anticipate another move, of some sort coming. Is Broxton brought in as a Plan B closer in case Soria is injured, is there a trade of another late-inning reliever coming, or is this just bullpen depth?
"He will be used in a set-up role," Royals GM Dayton Moore said.
Broxton’s 2011 season ended in May after just 12 2/3 innings with a 5.68 ERA and nearly as many walks (9) as strikeouts (10). He wanted a one-year deal to help rebuild his value.
The Mets, Rangers, Cubs and Rays also pursued Broxton.
Dan Mennella explains the fantasy baseball implications of the move at CloserNews.com
On a side note, Jeff Francoeur [Read more...]

Bruce Chen agreed to a 2-year deal worth at least $9 million, plus the possibility of $2 million more in incentives, with a base salary of $4.5 million each year with the Kansas City Royals.
"Bruce has been our most consistent pitcher over the last two years," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "He's someone we count on -- for not only his leadership, but his ability to be a consistent performer in our rotation."
The deal will be finalized when Chen, 34, returns from Panama to take a physical examination next week.
With the acquisition of Jonathan Sanchez from the Giants for Melky Carbrera, Chen, Sanchez, Luke Hochevar, Danny Duffy and Felipe Paulino appear to be the Royals 5-man rotation with All-Star Aaron Crow, Pacific Coast Pitcher of the Year Luis Mendoza - who was dominant in two starts at the end of the season - Sean O'Sullivan, Mike Montgomery, Vin Mazzaro, Nate Adcock and Everett Teaford as other fringe candidates for the rotation.
That's if they are done [Read more...]

Last off-season, in a six-player deal, the Royals acquired center fielder prospect Lorenzo Cain as one of four players from the Brewers in the Zack Greinke deal. He was expected to make the team out of spring training. But didn't. Then he was expected to be called up soon, but Melky Cabrera was in the midst of a career-year, and Cain, who was considered the main piece of the Greinke trade, spent all but a handful of games in late September, in AAA Omaha.
Cain will not be blocked any longer. Today, the Royals dealt Melky Cabrera to the Giants for left handed starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, and throw-in minor leaguer Ryan Verdugo.
Sanchez, 28, battled injuries last season that limited him to 19 starts but made at least 29 starts in each of the three previous seasons. He was 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA in 2010 while helping the Giants win the World Series. He also pitched for Puerto Rico in the Baseball. Sanchez has a career record 38-46 record and a 4.26 ERA.
"He's a very dynamic [Read more...]

Late in the season there was some hot stove talk that the Royals were interested in Braves starting pitcher Jair Jurjens. Now the Braves and Royals seem to be in discussions. The Braves all-star IF/LF Martin Prado's name has also been mentioned. The Braves are seeking outfield prospects Wil Meyers, the club's top prospect, and Lorenzo Cain, who is MLB-ready, but his path is blocked by Alex Gordon, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francouer.
Read more: KC STAR: Royals Trade Talks Heat Up

One day after earning the American League left field Gold Glove for outstanding defense, Gordon continues to be rewarded for his breakout season buy winning the Royals Player of the Year.
Gordon, who hit guaranteed to dominate this season, did just that, hitting .301 with 23 home runs, 87 RBI, 101 runs, 45 doubles and team-highs .376 on-base percentage and a .502 slugging percentage, all personal best.
“The dominate (quote) did come up a lot this year,” he acknowledged. “I just came into this year motivated – not that I didn’t before. But the previous two years, with injuries and being sent down, that drove me a little bit in the offseason to work even harder.
“I was hoping to go out there and play well, but I didn’t have Royals’ player of the year or Gold Glove on my mind. I just wanted to go into the season with a positive mind-set and knowing I could play well.”
Defensively, Gordon tied a franchise record and led the majors with 20 outfield assist.
“Throughout the [Read more...]

Brian Graham, KC SportsNation
Alex Gordon promised to "dominate" in 2011.
He didn't lie.
Not only did he come have a breakout year at the plate, with career-highs in every offensive stat - batting .303 with 101 runs, 45 doubles, 23 homers, 87 RBIs and team-highs .376 on-base percentage and a .502 slugging percentage - Gordon also stood out on defense.
And Tuesday the Royals left fielder reaped the benefits as he was awarded the Gold Glove, receiving the honor as recognition as the best defensive player at his position by a vote of managers and coaches.
“I’m thrilled,” said Gordon, who led the majors with a club-record 20 assists. “I couldn’t be happier about the award. I have a lot of people to thank."

JOPLIN -- We have all seen the photos, the scenes of destruction, the death, the seemingly aftermath of a War Zone. Picking up the pieces has not been easy, but an amazing humanitarian and volunteer effort has helped.
They say sports is a reprieve and helps return those in times of disaster and tragedy to normalcy, or at least distract them from reality, at least for a few hours.
This is certainly the case down in Joplin, where the football team has become a symbol for the residents and the students of Joplin High.
Here is a great piece from ESPN's "Outside the Lines"
And some of our local teams have done their part in giving their helping hand. In the days after the devastating EF5 tornado, the Chiefs held a disaster relief fund in the parking lot of the Truman Sports Complex, collecting thousands of dollars, waters and goods for the city. They also went to Joplin to help out in the relief effort. But Matt Cassel and the Chiefs didn't stop there when helping the students [Read more...]